As quantum computing rapidly evolves, today’s Public Key Infrastructures (PKI) and digital trust services face an unprecedented challenge: the potential obsolescence of classical cryptography. QCERT responds to this urgent need by designing and deploying a quantum-resilient certificate infrastructure that safeguards Europe’s digital trust ecosystem in the post-quantum era. QCERT will deliver a next-generation PKI framework that integrates post-quantum cryptographic primitives-aligned with NIST and ETSI standards-into existing trust and identity infrastructures. It will develop hybrid certificate models combining classical and postquantum algorithms, as well as Merkle-tree-based certificate validation mechanisms enabling scalable, verifiable, and privacypreserving trust chains. The project will further extend TLS and certificate management protocols to support PQC-based key exchange and signature algorithms, ensuring end-to-end interoperability and compliance with eIDAS 2.0, NIS2, and the EU Cybersecurity Act.
Beyond technology, QCERT drives policy, standardization, and adoption. Through collaboration with European QTSPs, CAs, regulators, and industry stakeholders, it will define migration roadmaps for critical sectors like finance, government, and digital identity, fostering Europe’s strategic autonomy and resilience against quantum-enabled cyber threats.
The consortium unites 12 leading organizations-spanning cryptographic research, trust services, PKI infrastructure, and cybersecurity governance-under the coordination of UNISYSTEMS and technical leadership of UBITECH. With contributions from INFOCERT, ADACOM, UPRC, IMDEA, QUBITECH, IMDEA and others, QCERT ensures both scientific excellence and operational maturity. QCERT sets the course for Europe’s secure digital transition, building a quantum-ready PKI that blends scientific innovation with regulatory alignment – ensuring that Europe’s digital trust remains resilient, autonomous, and future-proof.
Project co-funded by the European Union and the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre under Grant Agreement No. 101299572.
